Frame and ornamental cover for wall-mounted television

ABSTRACT

An improved frame for a wall-mounted television is provided that surrounds the television on all sides to increase the aesthetic function of the frame, enables the television to be shifted within the frame as desired, enables an ornamental cover to be removably coupled to the frame without visible or bulky components or mechanical systems, is uncomplicated and inexpensive, and is usable with ornamental covers of various types of material. The improved frame for concealing a mounted television includes opposing side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls, and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The improved frame further includes an ornamental cover configured to substantially cover an aperture defined by said side walls, said top wall, and said bottom wall. The improved frame further includes frame means for attracting and removably coupling the ornamental cover to the frame. The frame means are disposed near an outer surface of the frame. The improved frame further include a cover means for attraction to the frame means for removably coupling the ornamental cover to the frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to television frames and, more particularly to a frame for televisions that can be hung on a wall.

b. Description of Related Art

Flat screens and plasma screen televisions have increased in popularity as an alternative to tube televisions. The decreased width of the flat panel display of these televisions has decreased the amount of space in a room that must be used for storing a television and has enabled a television to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall, for television viewing. However, when a mounted television is turned off or is not being viewed, the television is simply a flat panel that is not aesthetically pleasing, but remains a focal point of a room. Accordingly, there remains a need to conceal the television in a decoratively and aesthetically pleasing way when the television is turned off or not in use. Furthermore, there remains a need to enable the television to be readily visible for viewing when desired, without complicated, bulky or expensive mechanical systems or components. There also remains a need to maintain the television in a decoratively and aesthetically pleasing way when the television is turned on and is in use.

Conventionally, frames have been used around flat screen or plasma screen televisions in an attempt to improve the decorative aspect of the television. However, simply framing a television does not necessarily render the television aesthetically pleasing when the television is turned off or not in use, as well as when the television is in use. Attempts have been made in the prior art to place a removable ornamental cover over a television or other electronic equipment that may be removed when the television is turned on or being viewed. However, distinct drawbacks to these known ornamental cover units remain. For example, known ornamental cover units may use complex or complicated mechanical systems to control the removal and placement of the ornamental cover over the television screen. These units are expensive, and the mechanical systems can be unseemly when the television is in use. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,987, an ornamental cover unit utilizes a set of rollers and a motor that is coupled to the unit to furl and unfurl a flexible ornamental cover so that the television may be covered or visible as desired. Another known ornamental cover unit, disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0168661, utilizes support brackets that are attached to both the wall and to an ornamental cover, so that the ornamental cover may be pivoted to an open or closed position to display or conceal the television, respectively. Such an ornamental cover unit requires additional components, such as support brackets and hinges, that are visible and bulky and may detract from the aesthetically pleasing nature of the ornamental cover or hamper visibility of a television when it is in use. The complexity of these units also makes them significantly more expensive.

The inventors herein have recognized a need for a frame for a flat screen television that will minimize and/or eliminate the above-identified deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a frame and an ornamental cover configured to conceal a mounted television, wherein the frame and cover are aesthetically pleasing when the television is in use or is not in use, which avoids the use or need of complicated attachment mechanisms, and which is relatively inexpensive in design. The frame includes opposing side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls, and a bottom wall extending between the side walls, all of which extend from the wall on which the television is hung and outward sufficiently to cover the face of the television. Frame means may be disposed at, underneath or near the outer surface of the frame for enabling easy attachment and removal of the ornamental cover to the frame, as well as maintaining a pleasant and aesthetically pleasing view of the unit.

The frame means may be disposed proximate one or more corners of the frame where the side walls meet the top or bottom wall. The rear surface of the frame may be configured for mounting to the wall on which the television is hung. The frame means, furthermore, may be disposed underneath a front surface or veneer of the frame, to maintain the aesthetically pleasing nature of the unit when the ornamental cover is removed and the television is in use. The frame means may include one or a plurality of frame magnets or metals or metal alloys disposed beneath an outer surface of the frame.

The ornamental cover may be removably coupled to the frame and covering the television when the television is not in use and removed when the television is in use. The ornamental cover may be of rigid material or of flexible cloth material that is on an inner frame. Cover means may be fastened to the ornamental cover or inner frame. Cover means may be disposed near a corner of the ornamental cover. The location of the cover means may correspond to a location of the frame means. The cover means and frame means may removably couple the ornamental cover to the frame. The cover means may include one or a plurality of cover magnets or metals or metal alloys fastened to the ornamental cover. The length of the ornamental cover may be shorter than the length of the frame, and the width of the ornamental cover may be shorter than a width of the frame, thereby providing an exterior lip to the frame when the ornamental cover is removably coupled to the frame.

A frame for a flat screen television in accordance with the present invention is advantageous as compared to existing ornamental cover units for flat screen televisions. First, the frame surrounds the television on all sides and extends to the wall on which the television is hung so that no part of the television is visible when the television is not in use, thereby increasing the aesthetic function of the frame. Second, the frame may be sized and hung independently from the television so that the television may be shifted or rotated within the frame as desired and without any interference from the frame. Third, the frame includes one or more means, such as magnets or metals or metal alloys, placed at, beneath or near an outer surface of the frame and disposed near the front of the frame, so that a corresponding ornamental cover with cover means, such as magnets or metals or metal alloys, may be removably coupled to the frame without visible or bulky components or mechanical systems. Fourth, the frame can accommodate different ornamental covers, whether the covers are rigid or flexible, such that any covering artwork may be changed to provide variety in use.

These and additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an ornamental cover in accordance with the present invention for use with the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 with the ornamental cover of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 illustrating the coupling of the ornamental cover of FIG. 2 to the frame.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 illustrating a flat screen television disposed within the frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a frame in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar components in the various views, FIGS. 1 and 3-5 illustrate a frame 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Frame 10 may be used in connection with the framing of a flat screen or plasma screen television, but it should be understood that the inventive frame described herein could be used in connection with the framing of other electronic equipment. A flat screen or plasma screen television may be mounted to a surface, such as a wall.

Frame 10 may also be configured for mounting on a surface, such as a wall. In particular, frame 10 may be configured for mounting on a surface, such as a wall, to surround a flat screen or plasma screen television. Conventional hanging brackets (not shown) are well known in the art and may be used to hang the frame on the wall. Other conventional fasteners may be used to mount frame 10 to a wall. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, frame 10 may include side walls 12, top wall 14, bottom wall 16, and frame means 18 for attracting and removably coupling an ornamental cover to the frame. Frame 10 surrounds the television on all sides and extends to the wall on which the television is hung so that no part of the television is visible when the television is not in use, thereby increasing the aesthetic function of the frame. Frame 10 may be sized and hung independently from the television so that the television may be shifted or rotated within the frame as desired and without any interference from the frame.

Side walls 12 are provided to conceal the sides of a flat screen or plasma screen television that may be disposed within frame 10. Side walls 12 may include a rear longitudinal surface 20 adjacent a wall or other surface to which frame 10 may be mounted. Side walls 12 may include a front longitudinal surface 22. Side walls 12 are of sufficient length and width so as to fit a flat screen or plasma screen television within side walls 12. Side walls 12 may be of sufficient dimensions to allow a television disposed within side walls 12 to be shifted or moved so as to enhance television viewing as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, side walls 12 may be about 26″ in length and about ¾″ thick. Side walls 12 are disposed on opposing sides of frame 10.

Top wall 14 is provided to conceal the top of a flat screen or plasma screen television that may be disposed within frame 10. Top wall 14 may include a rear longitudinal surface 24 adjacent a wall or other surface to which frame 10 may be mounted. Top wall 14 may include a front longitudinal surface 26. Top wall 14 is of sufficient length and width so as to fit a flat screen or plasma screen television beneath top wall 14. Top wall 14 may be of sufficient dimensions to allow a television disposed underneath top wall 14 to be shifted or moved so as to enhance television viewing as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, top wall 14 may be about 35″ in length and about ¾″ thick. Top wall 14 extends between side walls 12.

Bottom wall 16 is provided to conceal the bottom of a flat screen or plasma screen television that may be disposed within frame 10. Bottom wall 16 may include a rear longitudinal surface 28 adjacent a wall or other surface to which frame 10 may be mounted. Bottom wall 16 may include a front longitudinal surface 30. Bottom wall 16 is of sufficient length and width so as to fit a flat screen or plasma screen television above bottom wall 16. Bottom wall 16 may be of sufficient dimensions to allow a television disposed above bottom wall 16 to be shifted or moved so as to enhance television viewing as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, bottom wall 16 may be about 35″ in length and about ¾″ thick. Bottom wall 16 extends between side walls 12.

Side walls 12, top wall 14, and bottom wall 16 surround a television disposed within frame 10 on all sides so that no part of the television is visible when the television is not in use or is in use, thereby increasing the aesthetic function of frame 10. The front screen surface of a television disposed within frame 10 may be about co-planar with front longitudinal surfaces 22, 26, and 30. If the front screen surface of a television disposed within frame 10 is about co-planar with the front longitudinal surfaces 22, 26, and 30 of frame 10, television viewing may be improved. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various dimensions may be provided for side walls 12, top wall 14, and bottom wall 16, and all these various dimensions remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Frame means 18 is provided for removably coupling an ornamental cover to frame 10 to conceal a flat screen or plasma screen television that may be disposed within frame 10. Frame means 18 may comprise a conventional magnet. In another embodiment, frame means 18 may comprise a conventional magnetic metal or metal alloy. Frame means 18 may be disposed beneath an outer surface, including but not limited to an outer surface of wood veneer, near the front of frame 10, so that frame means 18 is hidden and unexposed, and no bulky components or mechanical systems are visible. Accordingly, the aesthetically pleasing nature of the unit is maintained when the ornamental cover is removed and the television is in use. In other exemplary embodiments, frame means 18 may include a plurality of magnets or metals or metal alloys placed at or near an outer surface of the frame and disposed near the front of the frame, so that a corresponding ornamental cover 32 with cover means 38 may be removably coupled to frame 10 without visible or bulky components or mechanical systems. As illustrated in FIG. 1, frame means 18 may be disposed in front longitudinal surface 26 of top wall 14 or front longitudinal surface 22 of side wall 12 or front longitudinal surface 30 of bottom wall 16. Frame means 18 may be proximate the locations where side wall 12 meets top wall 14 or side wall 12 meets bottom wall 16. In other exemplary embodiments, frame means 18 may be proximate the center of front longitudinal surface 26 of top wall 14 or front longitudinal surface 22 of side wall 12 or front longitudinal surface 30 of bottom wall 16. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that frame means 18 may be disposed in any location at, near, or underneath an outer surface of the frame, near the front of the frame, and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. Although four magnets are illustrated in FIG. 1, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that fewer or more magnets or metals or metal alloys may be used and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear view of an ornamental cover 32 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Ornamental cover 32 may comprise a piece of art, paneling, or other type of material. Frame 10 may accommodate different ornamental covers 32, whether the covers are rigid or flexible, such that any covering artwork may be changed to provide variety in use. Ornamental cover 32 does not have to be flexible or pliable to be used with frame 10, and accordingly, any number of various types of artwork and materials or ornamental covers may be utilized with the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, ornamental cover 32 may comprise a piece of fabric 34 within a frame 36. Frame 36 may comprise a rigid material and may comprise wood in an exemplary embodiment. Ornamental cover 32 is sized so as to have a length about the same as the length of top wall 14 and a width about the same as the length of side wall 12. In an exemplary embodiment, ornamental cover 32 may be about 35″ in length and about 26″ in width. Again, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various dimensions may be provided for ornamental cover 32, and all these various dimensions remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a front surface of ornamental cover 32 is provided to be aesthetically pleasing so that a television placed within frame 10 may be concealed when ornamental cover 32 is coupled to frame 10, and an aesthetically pleasing surface may be viewable instead. The front surface of ornamental cover 32 may be decorated or may be plain and may include any decoration, ornamentation, or lack thereof that is aesthetically pleasing to a user of the invention.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a rear surface of ornamental cover 32 may include cover means 38 for attraction to frame means 18. Cover means 38 is provided for removably coupling ornamental cover 32 to frame 10 to conceal a flat screen or plasma screen television that may be disposed within frame 10. Cover means 38 may comprise a conventional magnet. In particular, cover means 38 may be of a reverse polarity than a magnet comprising frame means 18, so that it is attracted to frame means 18. In another exemplary embodiment, cover means 38 may comprise a conventional magnetic metal or metal alloy that is attracted to frame means 18. Cover means 38 may be fastened to ornamental cover 32 using a conventional fastener. Cover means 38 may also be fastened to ornamental cover 32 using conventional adhesives, such as tape or glue. Cover means 38 may, but need not be, disposed beneath an outer surface of ornamental cover 32. This is because cover means 38 may not be visible when ornamental cover 32 is coupled to frame 10, since the rear surface of ornamental cover 32 abuts frame 10 (best shown in FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 2, cover means 38 may be disposed along the outer edge of ornamental cover 32 and located near the corners of ornamental cover 32. It is to be understood that cover means 38 may be located in any place proximate an outer edge of ornamental cover 32. The location of cover means 38 corresponds to the location of frame means 18 on frame 10. Although four magnets are illustrated in FIG. 2, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that fewer or more magnets or metals or metal alloys may be used and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

When ornamental cover 32 is removably coupled to frame 10, as best shown in FIG. 3, a flat screen or plasma screen television disposed within frame 10 may be concealed in a decoratively and aesthetically pleasing way when the television is turned off or not in use. Furthermore, the use of a frame means 18 and cover means 38 for removable coupling of ornamental cover 32 to frame 10 enables a television viewer to easily and quickly reveal the television so that it is readily viewable for viewing when desired, without requiring complicated or bulky mechanical systems or components. Visible and/or bulky components, such as support brackets or hinges, may detract from the aesthetically pleasing nature of ornamental cover 32 or may hamper the visibility of a television when it is in use. Furthermore, visible or bulky components and mechanical systems can be unseemly when the television is in use. In addition, the complexity of these components or systems may be significantly more expensive.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the coupling of ornamental cover 32 to frame 10 is illustrated. As indicated, ornamental cover 32 may be easily and readily coupled to frame 10 when a user desires to conceal a television 42 disposed within frame 10. Simply by placing ornamental cover 32 near frame 10, means 18, 38 serve to removably couple ornamental cover 32 to frame 10 without the use of complicated or bulky machinery. As can be best seen in FIG. 3, when ornamental cover 32 is in place on frame 10, no part of the television 42 disposed within frame 10 is visible, thereby improving the aesthetic nature of the inventive frame 10 and ornamental cover 32 when the television 42 is not in use. When television viewing is desired, ornamental cover 32 may be quickly and readily removed without complicated or bulky machinery, merely by holding ornamental cover 32 and removing it from frame 10 in an opposing direction from that shown in FIG. 4. When ornamental cover 32 is removed, a television 42 may be readily available for viewing as illustrated in FIG. 5. Even when ornamental cover 32 is removed from frame 10 as shown in FIG. 5, frame 10 serves to surround a television 42 disposed within the frame on all sides, so that only the television screen of television 42 is visible. Accordingly, the inventive frame retains its aesthetically pleasing qualities even when ornamental cover 32 is removed, by minimizing the amount of a television 42 that may be visible and detract from the decorative nature of a room. The inventive frame maintains the television 42 in a decoratively and aesthetically pleasing way when the television is turned on and is in use.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another exemplary embodiment of a frame 10′ in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Frame 10′ is substantially identical to frame 10 as described above. However, frame 10′ may include an exterior lip 40. Exterior lip 40 may remain visible after ornamental cover 32 is removably coupled to frame 10′ in order to provide an additional decorative aspect to frame 10′. Accordingly, ornamental cover 32 is sized so as to have a length shorter than the length of top wall 14′ and a width shorter than the length of side wall 12′. In an exemplary embodiment, exterior lip 40 may be about 2″ thick, such that ornamental cover 32 may be approximately 2″ shorter than the length of top wall 14′, and about 2″ shorter than the length of side wall 12′. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various dimensions may be provided for exterior lip 40 and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. Alternatively, the dimensions of frame 10′ may be altered to provide for lip 40. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of side walls 12′, top wall 14′, and bottom wall 16′ may be greater than ¾″ to provide for lip 40.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A frame configured to conceal a television mounted on the wall, comprising: opposing side walls; a top wall extending between said side walls; a bottom wall extending between said side walls; an ornamental cover configured to substantially cover an aperture defined by said side walls, said top wall, and said bottom wall; frame means for attracting and removably coupling said ornamental cover to said frame, said frame means disposed near an outer surface of said frame; and cover means for attraction to said frame means for removably coupling said ornamental cover to said frame.
 2. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a magnet.
 3. A frame in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cover means comprises a magnet of reverse polarity of said frame means.
 4. A frame in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cover means comprises a metal.
 5. A frame in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cover means comprises a metallic alloy.
 6. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means is disposed on said outer surface of said frame.
 7. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means is disposed underneath said outer surface of said frame
 8. A frame in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer surface comprises wood veneer.
 9. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means is disposed proximate a corner of said frame.
 10. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein a rear surface of said frame is configured for mounting to a surface.
 11. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means is proximate a front surface of said frame.
 12. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a plurality of magnets.
 13. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein a length of said ornamental cover is about equal to a length of said frame and a width of said ornamental cover is about equal to a width of said frame.
 14. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cover means is disposed near a corner of said ornamental cover.
 15. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein a location of said cover means corresponds to a location of said frame means
 16. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises a plurality of magnets.
 17. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein a length of said ornamental cover is shorter than a length of said frame and a width of said ornamental cover is shorter than a width of said frame, thereby providing an exterior lip to said frame when said ornamental cover is removably coupled to said frame.
 18. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ornamental cover comprises a rigid material.
 19. A frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ornamental cover comprises a flexible cloth material disposed on an inner frame.
 20. A frame in accordance with claim 18 wherein said inner frame comprises a rigid material. 